Do You Expect to be Paid?

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve always liked getting paid for my work.

(Yeah, I know, I’m not getting paid for this…but then nobody else is, either — unless you count WordPress, who must be making money off it somehow or else why would they offer the platform free?)

One of my pet peeves has always been publications and editors who think I should provide content for their magazine or website or whatever…for free! When I ask why I should do it without being paid, they usually respond with some variation on the “you’ll get exposure if you do.”

Uh-huh. A freelancer I knew via CompuServe back in its early days of SIGs and numeric email addresses once said, when commenting on just such a retort, “If I want exposure, I can drop my pants in the mall.”

Over the past 17 years of freelancing, I can recall three instances of writing for free — intentionally, that is. I have been stiffed by one editor to the tune of about $500, which I eventually wrote off on my taxes as a uncollectable debt.

And this happens with other than writing, too. I have had people call me at home in the evening asking for all kinds of research data and even photos related to my aviation history research. For some reason, they get offended if I suggest I might want to at least be reimbursed for my direct expenses or if I note that the material in question is likely to show up in a future book so why should I now give it away? Mind you, I’m never rude about it, just businesslike. I’ve also had people ask for all kinds of publishing help — the kind of help that I usually charge for — without expecting to pay for it.

Anyway, I came across an outstanding video on YouTube by Harlan Ellison, one of my favorite writers and the creator of the TV show Babylon 5. Here it is:

Well said, Mr. Ellison!

Even the Holy Bible says that the laborer is worthy of his hire. Works for me.

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